Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Purity Rings Clarified

I've been receiving a lot of shit over the opinions I voiced in a blog about purity rings. Since I stand by my opinion I thought I’d write another blog to rebut some of the comments and emails.

Let me start this the same way I started the last blog and hopefully this time people will actually read it. I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE WHO WAIT TILL MARRIAGE TO HAVE SEX. It’s not my choice but to each their own.

My problem is with purity rings, virginity pledges and abstinence only teaching. NOT the actual act of waiting to have sex.

A lot of the places who promote and encourage purity rings and virginity pledges (which by the way are one in the same) only teach and encourage the teaching of only abstinence.

That is a huge problem, make even worse by the fact report after report have found abstinence only teaching does not result in abstinence only behaviour.

Teenager need to be educated in how to protect themselves whether they plan on waiting or not. Too much information never hurt anyone.

Someone commented on my last blog misquoting me saying I said people with purity rings are more likely to get STD’s. What I actually said is they’re more likely to practice unsafe sex. And I was and am right about that.

There have been many reports published in Pediatrics alone finding that kids who take virginity pledges not only have sex at the same rates as non pledge takes but are also less likely to practice safe sex.

The same journal also publish a report saying “teaching abstinence but not birth control makes it more likely that once a teenagers initiate sexual activity they will have unsafe sex and contract sexually transmitted diseases.” Not my words the words of Dr. S Paige Hertweck. That right The Honest Bitch actually does research.

And just to drive home my point because I like being right there are also several studies published in the journal Sexuality Research and Social Policy finding that abstinence only and not until marriage sex education programs do not delay the onset of sexual activity and provides inaccurate information about condoms.

So I stand by my opinion that purity rings are stupid and don’t work and in many cases attach a stigma to sex, which shames and guilts teens into having unsafe sex. All a purity ring is good for is being a glorified fashion accessory.

You’re free to believe whatever you want and so am I. I just happen to believe in comprehensive sex education and making educated decisions.

Now that’s cleared up I have a few more things I’d like to say to some of the commenters. Don’t tell me to respect your opinions when you clearly not respect mine because that just makes you a hypocrite.

I have no problem discussing my views like adults, that’s why I blog but when you come at me like a crazy person I will tell you wear to shove it, in a less GP way.

Also thanks to those of you who were concerned about my soul but I won’t be taking sex advice from virgins, it’s kind of like taking automotive advice from a florist it’s just not a smart policy.

I would ask you tell me what you think on the matter but something tells me you’ll do that anyways.

my name is Jennifer Luby and I am French journalist working in the US on a magazine TV story for a French program. I was wondering if I could call you to talk about it by the end of the week.Best regards and thanks for your interest in our project !